In a March 2013 Washington Post/ABC poll, 81 percent of those 18-29 believed gay marriage should be legalized.

Even though some young conservatives don't fall into that 81 percent, more and more young Republicans are calling for moderacy from their leaders in office in fear that harsh campaigns against social issues will alienate the public.

Stephanie Petelos, chairwoman of the College Republican Federation of Alabama and former president of the University of Alabama College Republicans, said she was frustrated with the harsh statements and religious rhetoric from Republican leaders.

Petelos said she believed most college students' views on social issues differ from that of the GOP, and that the continued emphasis the party places on religion gets in the way of issues young people could get behind, like the economy.

While religious rhetoric has a small place in government due to politicians' personal beliefs and moral codes, Petelos said their arguments often don't fly with students who identify as Republican because of political issues, not because they're Christian.

"The majority of
students don't derive the premise of their argument for or against gay marriage
from religion, because we're governed by the constitution and not the Bible," Petelos said.

Though some young Republicans have come out in support of gay marriage, Petelos said even more probably believe in it but remain quiet in fear of retribution.

"I think a lot of people would be actively for it if they didn't live in fear of backlash from party leaders," she said. "We don't want to go against the party, we love the party. We're just passionate about a whole list of other issues, that's why we're involved."

Noah Cannon, a University of Alabama student and president of Spectrum, UA's LGBTQ student group, said he was overjoyed with the Supreme Court's decision, though he believes it is just one component of a "huge tapestry of battles being waged for LGBTQ people in this country".

Cannon hopes a more open dialogue will be fostered by the Court's decision, which will in turn translate to more rights and protections for LGBTQ people.

"It's surreal to experience this moment that's been talked about for so many years in the LGBTQ community," he said. "I think today's decisions will, in the end, contribute to the greater public support for LGBTQ rights, even in a place as conservative as Alabama. The numbers show that this is the direction we're going in, both as a nation and as a state, and I think many people will be encouraged to voice their support now that the Supreme Court has."

Cannon said he sees more and more young people, Democrats and Republicans, be vocal in their support for LGBT rights and believes the ALGOP's unwavering stance is harmful.

"If the Alabama Republicans continue their refusal to support LGBTQ people, it will absolutely hurt them and the state in the long run," Cannon said. "I'm optimistic that as these young people take up their fight in Montgomery, Alabama policy will change to be more LGBTQ-inclusive sooner rather than later."

Petelos agrees, stating she showed several GOP statements to classmates Wednesday morning who were shocked by language used.

"The rhetoric is harmful to the party," Petelos said. "The harsh language used by our leaders will really continue pushing and turning people away from learning about our party."

"Kids who don't have fathers, parents without education who aren't able to give their kids the opportunities they deserve, that's the decline in America that people need to talk about," she said. "Those are the social issues in this country that are hurting us. Not two people who love each other and are trying to build a life together. That's not going to ruin America."